Effect of magnetic and thermal properties of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) in nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) latex

Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) gloves are one of the most important personal protective equipments but they are possible to tear off and contaminate food or pharmaceutical and healthcare products during manufacturing and packaging process. High tendency of torn glove remaining in food or products due to white or light flesh-coloured glove is not easy to be detected by naked eyes. In this paper, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) selected as additive for NBR to improve its detectability by mean of magnetic properties. IONs synthesized via precipitation method and compounded with NBR latex before casting on petri dish. The properties of IONs were investigated by X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Raman Spectroscopy and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Meanwhile NBR/IONs composites were studied by Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). It observed that, synthesized IONs shows of 25.28nm crystallite with 25.86nm semipherical (changed as) shape. Meanwhile, Magnetite and maghemite phase are found in range of 670cm−1 and 700cm−1 respectively, which it contributes magnetization saturation of 73.96emu/g at 10,000G by VSM. Thermal stability and magnetic properties were increased with incorporating IONs into NBR latex up to 20phr. NBR/IONs 5phr has the optimum thermal stability, lowest glass transition temperature (−14.83°C) and acceptable range of magnetization saturation (3.83emu/g at 10,000G) to form NBR gloves with magnetic detectability. •We synthesized IONs with high magnetization saturation (Ms).•High Ms of IONs were incorporated into NBR latex in order to induce magnetic properties in the NBR composite.•Introduction of IONs into NBR latex would improve thermal properties.•The produced NBR/IONs 5phr composite exceeded the minimum magnetic moment sensor of the detector.•They have high potential for the pharmaceutical, food, medicine and laboratories industries.